The City of Granite Falls’ investment in lobbying services has the potential for a multi-million dollar payoff if all goes well in Washington DC.
On Monday, the Granite Falls City Council opted to retain the services of lobbyist Ed Cain who will again receive $24,750 for a minimum of 450 hours of work in 2010.
Cain has been employed by the city over the past eight congressional sessions in an effort to secure federal appropriations for flood mitigation projects within the City. His value lies in his ability to navigate the congressional halls and encourage legislative action on the City’s behalf.
Cain’s lobbying appeared set to pay dividends for Granite Falls when language was inserted into congress’s 2007 Water Resources Development Act, commonly known as the WRDA bill. The $23.2 billion bill provides funding to improve water related projects necessary for flood mitigation, commerce and other matters.
Introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman and Minnesota Eighth District Congressman, Jim Oberstar, the bill’s passage into law resulted in the authorization and appropriation of federal funding for Granite Falls, before the United States Army Corps of Engineers, through which the appropriation passes, questioned language within the act.
According to Mayor Dave Smiglewski, funds from the WRDA bill are earmarked for Granite Falls at a maximum level equal to the total amount that has already been spent by the city on flood mitigation projects. Since 1997 the city has spent more than $12 million in federal, state and local funds.
Cain said that the Army Corps of Engineers interpreted the language within the bill differently stating the match was only applicable for funds spent after the passage of the WRDA in November of 2007. The money expended since that date is in the neighborhood of $3 million.
It is easy to counter the Corp’s interpretation simply by stating the intent of the author of the funding earmark. But while this sounds simple enough, the complexity of the federal legislation and appropriation process makes it difficult to navigate the through the maze of federal agencies such as the Corps that administer the appropriation. That is why why the city voted to retain Cain’s services.
In total, it is expected to cost the City somewhat more than $6.5 million to complete the remainder of the flood mitigation projects that are presently planned in its Locally Preferred Plan, plus another approximately $2 million for additional work in the Minnesota River overflow channel to the west and south of the city.
It is believed that having federal dollars available to match state money will make it easier to obtain the state bonding funds necessary for the City to make further progress toward completing its flood mitigation work.
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The City of Granite Falls’ investment in lobbying services has the potential for a multi-million dollar payoff if all goes well in Washington DC.
On Monday, the Granite Falls City Council opted to retain the services of lobbyist Ed Cain who will again receive $24,750 for a minimum of 450 hours of work in 2010.
Cain has been employed by the city over the past eight congressional sessions in an effort to secure federal appropriations for flood mitigation projects within the City. His value lies in his ability to navigate the congressional halls and encourage legislative action on the City’s behalf.
Cain’s lobbying appeared set to pay dividends for Granite Falls when language was inserted into congress’s 2007 Water Resources Development Act, commonly known as the WRDA bill. The $23.2 billion bill provides funding to improve water related projects necessary for flood mitigation, commerce and other matters.
Introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman and Minnesota Eighth District Congressman, Jim Oberstar, the bill’s passage into law resulted in the authorization and appropriation of federal funding for Granite Falls, before the United States Army Corps of Engineers, through which the appropriation passes, questioned language within the act.
According to Mayor Dave Smiglewski, funds from the WRDA bill are earmarked for Granite Falls at a maximum level equal to the total amount that has already been spent by the city on flood mitigation projects. Since 1997 the city has spent more than $12 million in federal, state and local funds.
Cain said that the Army Corps of Engineers interpreted the language within the bill differently stating the match was only applicable for funds spent after the passage of the WRDA in November of 2007. The money expended since that date is in the neighborhood of $3 million.
It is easy to counter the Corp’s interpretation simply by stating the intent of the author of the funding earmark. But while this sounds simple enough, the complexity of the federal legislation and appropriation process makes it difficult to navigate the through the maze of federal agencies such as the Corps that administer the appropriation. That is why why the city voted to retain Cain’s services.
In total, it is expected to cost the City somewhat more than $6.5 million to complete the remainder of the flood mitigation projects that are presently planned in its Locally Preferred Plan, plus another approximately $2 million for additional work in the Minnesota River overflow channel to the west and south of the city.
It is believed that having federal dollars available to match state money will make it easier to obtain the state bonding funds necessary for the City to make further progress toward completing its flood mitigation work.
Other news:
•After a brief discussion, council members voted to a renew the City’s contract with City Attorney Greg Holmstrom and Assistant City Attorney Spencer Kvam.
Discussion ensued after Mayor Smiglewski questioned if the attorneys’ request for a proposed base retainer increase from $1,200 per month to $1,400 per month was negotiable in light of the current budgetary situation.
“It seems to me that another $2,400 is not something we can easily do,” said the mayor. Councilman Steve Schaub pointed out that the City’s attorney had not asked for an increase in three years, and noted that it would not be viewed as a big deal had smaller increases been implemented each year. “It’s unfortunate timing,” he said.
The total cost of legal services performed by the city attorney through November of 2009 amounted to $63,418 as compared to $54,807 in 2008. Approximately 420 hours of legal services were performed, with 292.84 of those hours stemming from police related activities.
•Council members approved an increase to the City’s building permit fees schedule to 70 percent of the 1997 state adopted schedule. Previously Granite Falls was operating with permit fees based on the 1988 state adopted schedule. The increase is expected to increase revenues by approximately $3,000 in 2010.
•Approved a change order requested by Stanley Consultants for additional storm sewer pipe at an additional expense of $9,352.92 of flood mitigation monies.
•The Granite Falls Fire Department informed council members that it would like to sell an older hurst tool “Jaws of Life” that they have valued at $1,000 to an area fire department that has expressed interest. City code mandates that any property valued over $500 be offered for public sale to the highest bidder. Council members approved the sale of the hurst tool contingent upon a minimum bid amount that will be set by the fire department.
•Council members reappointed City Engineer Rodeberg & Berryman as the city engineer for 2010. Hourly rates for services were increased by two-and-a-half to three percent.
•Council members reappointed Bolton & Menk as the City’s airport engineers for 2010. In 2009 a total of $26,282 was issued for services. According to City Manager Bill Lavin, those services involved projects that were largely funded by the state.
